Construction Manager-at-Risk for the Water Street Parking Garage Expansion Project

The City of New London, Connecticut is soliciting Construction Manager-at-Risk (CMAR) proposals for the Water Street Parking Garage Expansion Project (Project No. 2027-04), with a non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting on November 4, 2026 and proposals due December 1, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. ET. The project is subject to a Project Labor Agreement, and the sample PLA permits non-union contractors to bid provided they accept its terms. The solicitation also imposes a local hiring preference of 25 percent local residents, with 50 percent priority to City of New London residents, plus prevailing wage requirements.

The work expands the Water Street Garage by approximately 250 net new spaces to serve visitors to the Coast Guard Museum, which is scheduled to open in August 2027. The scope includes a Transit Hub and Tourism & Cultural Center, security systems, electrical and lighting upgrades, signage, pedestrian safety improvements, and storm drainage. The site plans add 11 bus bays and underground stormwater detention. The selected CMAR contracts directly with the City and must submit a Guaranteed Maximum Price at 50 percent Construction Documents completion. Groundbreaking is expected in summer 2027, with completion 12 to 18 months later.

Funding includes a $17 million federal RAISE grant, a $3.5 million Congressional Directed Spending grant for the garage expansion, state financing for a pedestrian bridge, and $1.4 million in Round 1 Community Challenge Grant funds. No CMAR contract value is stated in the source.

The scope of work weights evaluation as follows: project team qualifications 20 percent, CMAR team qualifications 20 percent, project qualifications 20 percent, proposed fees 20 percent, professional references 10 percent, and financial stability 10 percent, with interviews and presentations scored separately. The Oct. 28 solicitation states award goes to the lowest responsible, qualified proposer based on net cost.

Proposals are capped at 50 digital pages and must be submitted through the City's OpenGov portal. Written inquiries are due November 11, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Respondents must post a 5 percent bid bond with submission, increasing to 5 percent of the estimated GMP at selection and converting to 100 percent performance and payment bonds. Liquidated damages are $1,200 per calendar day, and required insurance includes $2 million general liability per occurrence and $10 million excess/umbrella liability.